The sixth annual Subaru Sani2c race saw Team MTN-Energade’s Yolande Speedy and Mariske Strauss claim the woman’s category honours by more than an hour, after setting leading times for each of the three days in the stage race that started in at the Underberg School in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, and ended at Scottburgh’s main beach on Saturday.

Placing second after trailing the bronze medallists for the first two days, team Giant Jeep’s Hanlie Booyens and Fienie Barnard capitalized on the misfortune of team bizhub’s Yolandi du Toit and Lise Olivier on the final day to finish as runners-up.

Freshman Lise Olivier surprised even herself when she debuted on the podium in the Subaru sani2c three-day paired mountain bike race when, riding in only the second mountain bike race of her fledgling career, she teamed up with the experienced Yolandi du Toit to place third overall, after 249 kilometres of racing in misty and muddy conditions.

The 26-year-old former runner stood in for Ischen Stopforth, the reigning MTN Series champion, who is still recovering from a broken collarbone and fractured pelvis sustained during training earlier this year.

The Team bizhub duo – who had never ridden together – claimed second positions on each of the opening two days behind Team MTN’s Yolande Speedy and Mariska Strauss and was lying second overall going into Saturday’s final stage.

Disaster however struck when Du Toit’s rear derailleur broke soon after the start of the last stage, leaving them to hobble home, forfeiting their runner-up status in the process.

“Our strategy was to conserve as much energy as possible on the first two days and then to give it our all on the last,” said a disappointed Du Toit. “Everything went exactly to plan, until the mechanical failure.”

Du Toit said they had two options – to retire from the race or to forge ahead in the hope of salvaging a minor position. “We had such a good race until then, neither of us wanted to throw in the towel.

She said the final 50 kilometres were very frustrating and tiring. “I constantly had to dismount to put the chain back on and at one point I even had to hold onto Lise. Fortunately we had built up a big enough lead over our closest rivals and the damage could be limited to an extent.”

Du Toit was full of praise for Olivier. “We didn’t know what to expect from Lise going into the race, but she rose to the occasion and rode brilliantly. It was such a brave effort from her.”

Olivier said she was initially very worried about the technical sections, but she benefited from Du Toit’s guidance and “became better at it each day. It was by far the most fun I’ve ever had on a bicycle. Hopefully I will soon get another opportunity.”

Race commentator Paul Valstar declared the event another resounding success. “It is superbly organized, has a great route and as such it attracts a quality field of top local and international riders”.

Valstar also said that “as South Africa’s most popular cycle race, the prestige associated with winning this race is worth much more than the prize money. The riders just seem to get faster every year, and this event was no exception”.

In total, 1500 teams of two cyclists tested themselves over the grueling 271km course between Underberg and Scottburgh.

Subaru have been title sponsors of the event since 2006. Husqvarna, the route and media sponsors, are now in their second year of involvement with the race. Other sponsors include BoE Private Clients, Specialized Bikes (mechanical support), USN (Energy Bars), Nando’s (food), Aquelle (water), Coca Cola, Entelect (website, seeding and timing), Island Tribe (sunscreen), Clover, Pick ‘n Pay, Powerade, Thule, Illovo, Farmers Agri Care, PG Bison, DCM Chrome, Renasa, Imperial and Salomon. 

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